The Eagles announced their eight team captains with the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys approaching quickly on the horizon, and there are three new players in the mix.
Here is a complete list of the 2025 Eagles captains:
- Saquon Barkley (1st season as captain with Eagles, 6th overall in NFL)
- Zack Baun (1st season)
- Reed Blankenship (1st season)
- A.J. Brown (3rd season)
- Jake Elliott (4th season)
- Jalen Hurts (5th season)
- Lane Johnson (4th season)
- Jordan Mailata (2nd season)
Barkley, Baun, and Blankenship all became captains for the first time as Eagles, and for Baun and Blankenship, it's the first time in their NFL careers.
For the trio, it's special to be able to wear the "C" on their chest for the first time in Midnight Green (and Kelly Green).
"It's amazing," said Baun, who is entering his second season in Philadelphia. "It's awesome. (It's) better than any achievement I've gotten to date. It means a lot because it's something that's voted on by my teammates."
Blankenship made the Eagles roster as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has worked his way up the depth chart to be a starter at safety. Now, he's recognized by his teammates and coaches as one of the leaders of the Eagles.
"It's always been my dream to become a captain, just regardless of where I'm at," said Blankenship, who added how the veterans in Philadelphia helped mold him into the leader he is now. "I feel like that is one of the best things you can do as a teammate. It goes far beyond just having the 'C' on your chest, that's how I've always looked at it. With all my teammates trusting in me and voting for me, it just means the world.
"I think I've been a captain at each level of my football career, and I don't take it lightly. I feel like it's a big motivator and encouragement for me. Just knowing that my teammates look at me when things aren't going as planned, it means a lot."
The Kelly Green jerseys will return for three games in 2025, all against NFC East rivals, including the road clash in Dallas against the Cowboys. Check out the best images of the Eagles in Kelly Green since they returned as throwbacks in the 2023 campaign.
DeVonta Smith hauled in this pass against the Jaguars.
Of course, Saquon Barkley's reverse hurdle
Sydney Brown
Nakobe Dean sealed the win over the Jaguars.
A.J. Brown hauled in Tanner McKee's first touchdown pass.
Grant Calcaterra with the one-handed grab!
Cooper DeJean and Reed Blankenship
A.J. Brown in the pregame huddle
C.J. Gardner-Johnson with the pick-six!
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Buffalo Bills 37-34 in overtime at Lincoln Financial Field on November 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles)
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Miami Dolphins 31-17 at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles)
Philadelphia Eagles vs Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field
RB Kenneth Gainwell running the ball
DB Big Play Slay after pass deflection
WR Britain Covey during National Anthem performance
Eagles team huddle just before a play
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Miami Dolphins 31-17 at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles)
QB Jalen Hurts scrambling during play
QB Jalen Hurts entering the field during pregame
QB Jalen Hurts putting on eye paint in locker just before game time
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Miami Dolphins 31-17 at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles)
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Miami Dolphins 31-17 at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles)
Jalen Hurts has spent multiple years around Blankenship and seen him grow from an undrafted rookie, and he watched Baun become an All-Pro in Philadelphia last season. Now, they join Hurts as captains.
"I think it's based off of a lot of hard work, a lot of belief in themselves, and determination to be the best they can be," Hurts said of Blankenship and Baun. "That's earned them the opportunity to have everything in front of them that they have now. They've been giving it their all as they've been Eagles, and we're going to continue to build that."
Barkley was named a captain in five straight seasons with the New York Giants, and after a prolific season on and off the field last year, his teammates voted him a captain in Philadelphia.
While Barkley has donned the "C" before, it's extra special coming with this group.
"You know what type of players we have on this team," Barkley said. "Not just the talent, but really mean tremendous leaders."
While he's honored to be a captain, he knows he still has to do his job as a leader.
"To be able to come here and be captains with such tremendous leaders means a lot to me," Barkley said. "But at the same time, leading doesn't just happen because you have a 'C' on your chest. Whether I have a 'C' on my chest or not, my mindset, my leadership wasn't going to stop."
With this being Hurts' fifth season as a captain, the "C" on his chest will be in gold. He said it's "always an honor" to be named a captain, but every year is its own year, including as a leader.
"There's always a different nuance to your approach while it's always the same person," Hurts said. "The person just evolves and grows and is able to take on the lessons throughout getting to this point."
Jake Elliott earned his fourth captain's patch after becoming the team's kicker as a rookie in 2017. He is now one of only two current Eagles to be a part of both Super Bowl teams and feels honored to be selected as a captain again.
"I've been around this organization for so long with so many guys that I really respect," Elliott said. "Just to be in a conversation for that is always really meaningful. And for me, as far as how I handle it, it's just going to work and visually seeing what I do and the work that I put in every day. And I hope guys can follow that." – Written by Matt Ryan
